As the Eastern Seaboard buckles under the weight of an already historic wet year, a looming storm threatens to add to the woes of millions.
Cities from Providence to Philadelphia, which are navigating one of their wettest years, brace for yet another deluge.
Unrelenting Rains Test Eastern Seaboard's Resilience
The FOX Forecast Center has pinpointed a cold front, sweeping in from the west, as the culprit behind the incoming storm system.
This system is expected to haul moisture directly from the Atlantic, dousing areas from the Carolinas all the way to New England with moderate to heavy rainfall. With the ground still reeling from recent downpours, this forecast spells concern for urban centers along the bustling Interstate 95 corridor.
Particularly hard-hit could be North Carolina, Virginia, and parts of eastern New England.
Here, the forecast models predict an onslaught of 3-5 inches of rain, testing the limits of already saturated grounds. Meanwhile, the densely populated cities stretching from Washington and Baltimore to Philadelphia and New York City might see a comparatively lighter rainfall of a half-inch to an inch.
While this may sound like a reprieve, the reality is that even such "lower" amounts can trigger flooding, given the current saturation levels.
Less Rain Where It's Most Needed
For regions still drying out from last weekend's record rainfall, the forecast offers a glimmer of hope.
The expected precipitation levels, though potentially problematic, are far from last week's extremes.
This moderation could provide a crucial buffer for communities already facing the challenges of cleanup and recovery, especially in the aftermath of Baltimore's bridge collapse.
From Rain to Snow: The Storm's Cold Conclusion
The Fox Forecast Center warns of a cold surge following the storm, which could see rain turning to heavy, wet snow across parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
As the low deepens over the Gulf of Maine on Friday, this late-season snowfall could complicate recovery efforts and catch the unprepared off guard.
